Press Releases

Medical Teams International Sends More Help to New Clinic in Haiti

(PORTLAND, Ore., February 15, 2010)—A team of five medical professionals will leave Thursday, Feb. 17, to work at a recently-opened clinic just outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The earthquake displaced more than 1 million people from their homes. In an effort to provide long-term housing for some of the displaced peoples the government has made land available north of the city. Medical Teams International opened up a clinic in the tent city recently where they have been treating at least 50 patients per day.

Thousands of families claimed plots of land and began setting up “transitional shelters” in this community known as Canaan. There are no permanent healthcare facilities; however Medical Teams International’s clinic will serve as one for now.

There are nearly 40,000 people living in this community. There is no running water or electricity, but people have taken their tents and fashioned them into make-shift homes.

"I recently returned from Haiti and was shocked by the amount of work that still needs to be done,” said Debbie Bailey, Disaster Response Team Coordinator for Medical Teams International. “However, the amount of work that our teams are able to consistently accomplish is amazing.”

"The five-person team leaving on Thursday includes EMT Paramedic, Sarah Adkins from Portland, Ore. and a family practitioner, Dr. David Roesel from Seattle, Wash. A seven-person team will also return from working in Haiti on February 20. This team included RN, Jamie, Langmade from Albany, Ore., EMT Paramedic, Daniel Livengood from Salem, Ore. and EMT Paramedic, Todd Lake from Vancouver, Wash.